University City is about to get a little sweeter! Two new dessert concepts will open this Friday (October 19th) at 3818 Chestnut Street. I-CE-NY Philly, the original Thai rolled ice cream in Chinatown Square, will open its second location in Philadelphia. The menu will include Thai rolled ice cream rolls - or smashed ice cream - and include notable Ube and Mango Sticky Rice creations. They will be joined by the world’s debut of The Creamery Cafe and Philadelphia’s debut of freakshakes. In addition to these monstrous morphed milkshake creations, customers will be able to choose from nine flavors of unique and gourmet soft serve ice creams as well. Owner Lisa Taing will give away free Thai rolled ice cream, gourmet soft serve cones and freakshakes during lunch and dinner, between 12:00pm to 2:00pm, and 4:00pm to 6:00pm this Friday. (Choice of one product per person.)

Fuel restaurants in Philadelphia invite you to fuel up, then chill out with a new “dream” collection of smoothies. Fuel Recharge Yourself President Rocco Cima announces three new smoothies that are infused with CBD oil. The new collection is part of Cima’s mission to offer a fast, fresh and even healthier dining experience for customers. Infusing edibles with CBD oil is a trend sweeping the nation due to potential health benefits of what some call a new “superfood.” CBD is commonly used to manage anxiety, stress and depression. With the addition of the new smoothies, Cima will provide customers with more options when they are focusing on the overall package, a healthy body and mind. Cima is officially the first in Philadelphia to offer the smoothies and has exclusive distribution rights with a lead national distributor. He plans to explore additional CBD oil infused drink and food options for debut in early 2019.

FUEL (http://fuelrechargeyourself.com) announces exciting changes that will make for a faster, fresher and healthier dining experience - all for under $10! Starting this week, Fuellocations (University City, Center City, East Passyunk) will debut 17 new menu additions with all options now being priced for $10 or less. With these additions comes faster service, fresher ingredients and innovative dishes; including the debut of acai bowls, a Tahini smoothie, Toast Boxes, and special menu items by celebrity chef Brian Duffy (of Bar Rescue). Facial recognition ordering kiosks are now installed at the University City and Center City FUEL locations, allowing customers quicker ordering which is key during busy lunch rushes. The kiosks will use facial recognition to identify customers and pull up past orders, allow for credit card ordering and provide visual images of all dishes in one swipe.

South Street Headhouse District announces 30+ bands are ready to rock n roll at this year’s South Street Spring Festival on Saturday, May 6, 2017, from 11:00am to 8:00pm. The all-day, all-ages, free outdoor festival and concert will feature a mix of rock, funk, soul, hip hop, indie rock, reggae, R&B and country acts entertaining tens of thousands from three stages and seven performance areas. In addition to music and other live entertainment, look for 125+ vendors, 35+ restaurants and eateries, and 24 makers and artists. South Street Spring Festival runs on South (between Front and 8th) and along Headhouse Plaza (between South and Lombard), plus connecting side streets.

East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District presents Flavors on the Avenue: A Street Festival on Sunday, April 30, 2017, from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. The brand-new street festival will feature five blocks of street food, seasonal sips, craft beer, live music, sidewalk sales and free family fun on five blocks – from Broad to Dickinson streets. Twenty-seven award-winning restaurants and bars will bring their signature cuisine outside under the blue skies. Craft beer and wine will pour from the festival beer tent – and select restaurants will also offer seasonal cocktails, beer and wines for the crowds.

South Street Headhouse District announces the return of South Street Spring Festival on Saturday, May 6, 2017, from 11:00AM to 8:00PM. Rock your way into the summer season with a giant, all-ages outdoor block party that will take over the street from South (between Front and 8th) and run along Headhouse Plaza. Last year, over 58,000+ people came out to enjoy the music, food and fun in the sun. Mark your calendars as the city’s largest block party is back!

Get all of your holiday shopping done in one place, and enjoy some seasonal dishes and sips in Old City! More than 45 participating boutiques, shops, art galleries, museums, restaurants and cafes around the neighborhood will treat visitors to special sales, discounts, promotions and menu items every Thursday in December from 5:00pm to 8:00pm throughDecember 22nd.

SouthStreet Headhouse District kicks off the holidays with the SouthStreet Christmas Parade and Headhouse Square TreeLighting this Sunday, December 4, 2016. Santa Claus will make his annual journey down SouthStreet on top of a shiny red firetruck Engine 11 starting at 3:00pm from 11th and SouthStreet.

Newbold Community Development Corporation fires up the grills again for the 2nd Annual South Philly SausageFest on Saturday, September 10, 2016 from 12:00pm to 8:00pm. South Philadelphia’s annual sausage-themed food fest takes place along West Passyunk Avenue (between South Broad and 15th streets). Look for sausage and sausage-inspired dishes cooked up in a variety of traditional and unique styles - including vegan - from ten restaurants and eateries that are part of the upcoming food scene on the other side of Broad Street. Festivities also include craft beer from seven breweries, live music, vendors and family fun. The event, sponsored by AFC Urgent Care, will be a fundraiser for the Newbold CDC’s Street Cleaning Program. Admission is free with food and drink pay-as-you-go. Advance beer tickets and other information is available at www.southphillysausagefest.com.